About the exhibition | 展覽介紹

Exhibition Overview:

The 1568 Bishop's Bible stands as a monumental work of the English Reformation and the second authorized Bible of the Church of England. This Bible not only embodies the religious ideals of the Elizabethan era but also showcases the pinnacle of 16th-century printing technology through its exquisite woodcut illustrations and binding design.

This exhibition marks the first public display of five original leaves from the 1568 first edition of the Bishop's Bible, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the charm of this classic up close. From full-page woodcut illustrations to decorative initials, from verse divisions to the "Bishop's fist" (manicules), each page is a testament to history, and every line of text is a legacy of faith.

Through these leaves, we not only revisit the history of the Bishop's Bible but also reflect on how words, art, and faith intertwine and evolve over time. The exhibition also features a comparative analysis with the Great Bible and the Geneva Bible, revealing the Bishop's Bible's unique role in the English Reformation.

Exhibition Highlights:

• Original Leaves: Five leaves from the 1568 first edition of the Bishop's Bible, showcasing its unique woodcut illustrations and binding design.

• The Bishop's Fist: Explore how these manicules guided readers to significant passages and became precursors to modern digital hand pointers.

• Historical Comparison: A comparative analysis with the Great Bible and the Geneva Bible reveals the Bishop's Bible's unique role in the English Reformation.

• The Interplay of Art and Faith: From woodcut illustrations to decorative initials, experience the brilliance of 16th-century book art.

Special Thanks:
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Reverend Stephen Morgan for generously lending these invaluable Bible leaves, allowing visitors to experience the charm of this classic up close.

Let us step into this history together, witnessing how words shape faith and how art conveys eternity.

展覽簡介：

1568年出版的《主教聖經》（Bishop's Bible），是英國宗教改革時期的重要經典，也是英國國教會的第二部官方聖經。這部聖經不僅承載了伊麗莎白一世時代的宗教理想，更以其精美的木刻插圖與裝幀設計，展現了16世紀印刷技術的巔峰。

本次展覽將首次展出《主教聖經》初版的五片珍貴書葉，帶領觀眾近距離感受這部經典的魅力。從全頁木刻插圖到裝飾性的首字母，從分節經文到「主教的手標」（Bishop's fist），每一頁都是歷史的見證，每一行文字都是信仰的傳承。

透過這些書葉，我們不僅回顧了《主教聖經》的歷史，更思考了文字、藝術與信仰如何在時間的長河中交織與演變。展覽還將透過與《大聖經》及《日內瓦聖經》的對比，揭示《主教聖經》在英國宗教改革中的獨特地位。

展覽亮點：

• 初版書葉：來自1568年《主教聖經》初版的五片書葉，展現其獨特的木刻插圖與裝幀設計。

• 「主教的手標」：探索這些指向手標（manicules）如何引導讀者關注重要經文，並成為數位時代手標符號的前身。

• 歷史對比：透過與《大聖經》及《日內瓦聖經》的比較，揭示《主教聖經》在英國宗教改革中的獨特地位。

• 藝術與信仰的交織：從木刻插圖到裝飾性首字母，感受16世紀書籍藝術的輝煌。

特別感謝：
感謝校長麥仕文教授（Reverend Stephen Morgan）慷慨借出這些珍貴的聖經書葉，讓觀眾能夠近距離感受這部經典的魅力。

讓我們一同走進這段歷史，見證文字如何塑造信仰，藝術如何傳遞永恆。